Levi P. Morton (1824-1920)

Levi Parsons Morton was a merchant and American banker who became prominent in Republican politics. He won election to the U.S. House of Representatives (1879-81), after which he was appointed minister to France (1881-85). He was elected vice president under President Benjamin Harrison. Following 12 years of Democratic administration in New York, he was elected governor (1895-96), lending support to civil-service reform.